Reorienting the center of city's downtown

At first I could not understand why the benches on Washington Street from Clinton to Dubuque faced south - intruding into what, due to privatization of the public sidewalk, has become limited pedestrian walking space - instead of being lined up along the curb as is the custom.

They line up like bench-seats on a bus looking south away from center city and passing pedestrian traffic. It is as though those sitting on the benches are meant to watch for a parade or future event of some kind.

Walking north toward Clinton, this arrangement gives the psychogenic feeling that if you were to trip - you'd land in someone's lap.

Observing this orientation, I realized that the bench placement has to do with the reorientation of the center of Iowa City. More and more, it seems the center of Iowa City is shifting from the Pentacrest/Old Capitol Mall area toward the 20-story The Chauncey planned for the corner of Gilbert and College streets.

It all makes me think of the 1994 film "The Shadow," starring Alec Baldwin. In it, everyone in the city has been hypnotized not to see the gigantic building that has sprung up in the heart of downtown.

Mary Gravitt

Iowa City

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Reorienting the center of city's downtown

At first I could not understand why the benches on Washington Street from Clinton to Dubuque faced south ? intruding into what, due to privatization of the public sidewalk, has become limited